‘Plenty of space to work together’: Chinese Ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Wednesday said Bangladesh has found its own path of development that is tailored to its needs, with the highest GDP growth rate and the sharpest development trajectory in the region and even the whole world.

“Our peoples are close to each other. Our national conditions share similarities and our development goals are aligned, which give us plenty of space to work together,” said the Chinese Ambassador appreciating the “wise leadership” of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Ambassador Li made the remarks while addressing a reception held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

 

Law Minister Anisul Huq spoke as the chief guest and highlighted various aspects of Bangladesh-China relations.           

Political leaders, diplomats, business leaders, civil society members and senior journalists were present.   

The Chinese envoy said they are willing to join hands with Bangladeshi friends to promote traditional friendship, consolidate strategic cooperation and deepen strategic mutual trust.

“We want to be good partners for a shared development, good neighbors that act with utmost sincerity and good brothers who care for each other. Let’s work jointly to make the Chinese Dream and the Sonar Bangla Dream come true,” said Ambassador Li.

 

Ambassador Li said Father of Nation Bangabhandu Sheikh Mujibu Rahman visited China twice in the 1950s and the two countries have seen frequent high-level visits in recent years.

This year, the envoy said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a successful visit to China, during which the two sides had in-depth exchange of ideas and reached wide consensus on different issues.

The Chinese Ambassador said Bangladesh was among the first countries to jump on board BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) in South Asia; it is not only one of the important partners of China to jointly build the BRI, but also one of the first countries to benefit from the Initiative.

In line with the BRI Initiative, Ambassador Li said they have seen “ever-more dynamic” people-to-people exchanges.

In recent years, under the joint efforts of leaders of both countries, he said their military cooperation has deepened, the good momentum to high-level exchanges has been maintained, and strategic mutual trust has been strengthened comprehensively.

The Ambassador said China values and appreciates Bangladesh’s adherence to the One China Policy.
I
n 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Bangladesh, and the two countries elevated the relations to the level of ‘Strategic Partnership of Cooperation’, opening a whole new chapter of Bangladesh-China exchanges, he said.

During their meeting on July 5, President Xi mentioned to Prime Minister Hasina that the consolidation and development of China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation would serve not only the common interests of the two peoples, but also the prosperity and stability of Asia, as well as the opening up and cooperation of the whole world.

In 2018, China-Bangladesh trade volume reached US$ 18.7 billion USD, with China maintaining the position as the largest trading partner of Bangladesh. In May, the two countries completed the letter of exchange on zero-tariff treatment for 97 percent of Bangladeshi products being sold to China, which will help Bangladesh to expand export, said the Ambassador.